The University of Melbourne has earned their first SAGE Cygnet Award, for their work to improve the university’s systems to address sexual misconduct.

To build trust in their complaints and disclosure process, the university implemented a new anonymous and escrow reporting system, assigned clearer roles and accountabilities to the people who handle complaints, and began publishing annual reports on the university’s efforts to eliminate sexual misconduct.

“Sexual harm has physical, psychological and emotional impacts on the members of our community. We know that headline numbers do not describe the suffering that sits behind the data, and it is incredibly important that we do not lose sight of this,” said University of Melbourne Provost, Professor Nicola Phillips.

“We are determined to provide a safe environment for our community members, free from sexual misconduct.”

Their full application gives more information on their interventions and the outcomes and impacts.